As you are well aware, gas prices have been climbing and reaching record-breaking numbers.
According to AAA, California has some of the country’s highest gas prices, which continue to rise every day.
While you can’t do much to control the rising price of oil, there are things you can do to save money at the pump.
Here are some things to consider.
Track and Compare Local Gas Prices
Keep tabs on local gas stations offering the lowest prices. There are both apps and websites that will do the tracking for you so you can compare prices with a couple of clicks.
Although the apps may lag due to a large volume of search traffic, you can try using some of these more popular apps:
You can also check Google Maps to find gas stations near you. Tap the “Gas” button found under the search bar to show gas prices for stations in your area.
Credit Card or Gas Rewards Programs
Credit Card Gas Rewards
Look for credit cards offering a percentage of cash back for monthly gas purchases. While there are minimums and some restrictions, it can’t hurt investigating credit card companies that offer rebates specifically for gas purchases.
Gas Rewards Programs
Check out the major gas stations around town to see if they offer any kind of gas rewards program. In some cases, large gas station chains offer a chance to earn points each time you fill up. You can then cash in those points for a rebate, store credit or gift card.
Other major gas stations offer money off gas purchases, but you have to read the fine print to find out how much you have to spend in order to get a discount on buying gas.
Grocery Store Gas Rewards
Kroger and Safeway stores have gas rewards programs which give you $.10/gallon discount at the pump with each $100 purchase at the grocery store. The rewards are automatically tracked and printed on your grocery receipt.
These stores work with select gas stations so again, read the fine print to learn more about the program.
Pay with Cash Discounts
Shop around to see if there are gas stations that give a discount for paying with cash instead of a credit or debit card.
You might be able to find local stations that offer $.10 or more off per gallon as an incentive to pay with cash.
Club Memberships
Joining shopping clubs like Costco or Sam’s Club save you money at the pump because as a membership perk, they offer discounted gas prices.
If you already have a membership to these club stores, your loyalty is rewarded by saving some extra money on gas. While the lines at Costco gas can be long, in Rohnert Park they have 3 pumps per lane so it’s not so bad.
Improved Fuel Efficiency
Plan out your trips in the most fuel efficient manner by making stops in order instead of driving from one end of town to the other.
Add a fuel tracking app to help you plan more fuel efficient routes. These apps help plan out routes that avoid hills, heavy traffic and allow you to maintain even and consistent speeds.
According to the US Department of Energy, properly inflated tires can increase gas mileage by 3%.
Exercise Work-from-Home Option
Due to the pandemic, the world is forever changed. When employees were forced into a lockdown situation, employers realized that many jobs could be switched to a work-at-home option.
If you have this option available to you, even part time, it will help save you money on driving back and forth to the office every day.
Conclusion
While no one knows how high the gas prices will go, it helps to know there are still ways you can save some money.
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